THE BLACK MATHEMATICIAN
CAREERS
Mathematics plays an important role in our workplace and our everyday lives. Developing strong mathematical skills helps to improve cognitive abilities, critical thinking, problem solving, and logic, which are all essential skills for job success. Many people believe that in the modern age knowing math is not as necessary because we have computers and calculators to do all the work for us. However, that is simply not the case. We must understand the internal calculations that a computer performs so that we can better interpret the data that it outputs.
94% of all workers use some sort of math in their jobs. 68 percent use fractions, decimals, ane, d percentages. Over 33% of blue-collar workers, including carpenters and mechanics use algebra, geometry, and/or trigonometry. 1 out of 20 workers use calculus, with skilled trades workers, managers, and technical professionals using it the most.

ACTUARY
The actuarial field is one of the most common industries in which math grads find work. Actuaries use their extensive knowledge of mathematics and statistics to calculate and manage risks for insurance companies. Their job is to figure out how likely it is that an event will occur, how expensive the event would be, and how policies can be developed to minimize the risk of that event. Taking courses in finance and computer science as part of your math degree can be helpful; it's also a good idea to begin the actuarial certification process while you're still in college.

ACCOUNTANT
Balancing an organization's books and keeping financial records up to date are responsibilities of accountants. They're in charge of calculating payroll, preparing tax returns, and ensuring that the company complies with all financial rules and regulations. Math training can help you get your foot in the door, especially if you land an internship with an accounting firm. Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can be a big boost for your career.

BUDGET ANALYST
When government departments, research firms, or academic institutions need to decide how to allocate funding among different programs, they turn to budget analysts. These professionals analyze the costs attached to various budget proposals and determine their potential impact on an organization's overall financial status. Then, they make funding recommendations based on their findings. Most employers look for candidates with a bachelor's degree, but some require a master's.

CRYPTOGRAPHER
Making and breaking codes and coming up with more effective ways to keep sensitive data safe from malicious hackers makes this one of the best jobs for math majors with no experience. And it's not just intelligence agencies that hire cryptographers: You could focus on encoding signals for cable companies or encrypting transactions for financial institutions. You can get started in this career right after graduation, particularly if your coursework includes some computer science classes.

MATHEMATICIAN
This is the most obvious of all math major jobs. A mathematician is someone who enjoys solving problems through numerical analysis. And people who do this kind of work are in demand: Employment in this field is expected to grow 33 percent between 2016 and 2026.6 You might find yourself researching new theories and concepts, developing mathematical models, or analyzing data to solve business problems. Most mathematician positions call for an advanced degree, but federal government jobs can be obtained with a bachelor's.

MATH TEACHER
If you enjoy the challenge of making math understandable to students of different ages and abilities, you might be cut out for a career as a high school math teacher. You could help young learners master the concepts involved in algebra, geometry, and calculus. All public school teachers must be licensed, but some states allow people who already have a bachelor's degree in another area to take a fast track to certification and begin teaching immediately.

METEOROLOGIST
Predicting the weather draws on skills from a number of areas, including calculus and physics. Meteorologists use advanced modeling techniques to forecast atmospheric conditions. Many of them work for agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or the National Center for Atmospheric Research, but opportunities are also available with airlines, consulting firms, and agricultural companies. You'll need graduate-level training for research positions; a bachelor's in math plus a master's in meteorology is one possible route.

SOFTWARE/ALGORITHMS ENGINEER
Making and breaking codes and coming up with more effective ways to keep sensitive data safe from malicious hackers makes this one of the best jobs for math majors with no experience. And it's not just intelligence agencies that hire cryptographers: You could focus on encoding signals for cable companies or encrypting transactions for financial institutions. You can get started in this career right after graduation, particularly if your coursework includes some computer science classes.

STATISTICIAN
Broadly speaking, statisticians gather and analyze data to identify trends and solve problems. This role involves coming up with the best methods for collecting data (which could include phone surveys, online questionnaires, or experiments) and drawing conclusions based on the results. You could work for government agencies, research institutes, insurance firms, pharmaceutical companies, or even sports organizations. A master's degree is normally the minimum requirement, but some entry-level jobs are available with a bachelor's.

OPERATIONS RESEARCH ANALYST
Analytical skills are crucial to the work of operations research analysts. They apply statistical analysis to business functions and use mathematical modeling techniques to figure out how an organization can operate more efficiently. You could help airlines develop flight schedules or help computer makers optimize their manufacturing processes. You may need to get special security clearance for some positions.

QUANTITATIVE FINANCIAL ANALYST
Sometimes referred to as junior data scientists, data analysts specialize in collecting, processing, and verifying data. They apply standard statistical techniques to complex sets of data in order to identify trends and insights that can help companies solve problems or make better business decisions. Data analysts are in demand in many industries, from sales and marketing to insurance and health care. A bachelor's degree in math is excellent preparation for this kind of work.